Implants modified with polymeric nanofibers coating containing the antibiotic vancomycin

Objective(s): Implant-related infections are disastrous complications in the clinic. One recent strategy to reduce the rate of infection is using the bioactive coating with an antibiotic. The purpose of these bioactive surfaces is to prevent bacterial adhesion to the implant and, consequently, the development of biofilm. In this study, vancomycin-loaded polymeric coating on implants was prepared using the electrospinning technique. Methods: We selected polymers, chitosan (CS), and poly ethylene oxide (PEO) to prepare nanofibers. Then for the better attachment of nanofibers on the implant, the first coated the implant with thin film CS-gelatin. The prepared coatings were characterized using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FT-IR spectroscopy. The antibacterial effectiveness of vancomycin-loaded polymeric coating and the bacterial adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated in vitro. An elution study was performed with UV-Vis spectroscopy to determine the release behaviour of the vancomycin from the polymeric coating. Results: The morphology of the vancomycin-loaded polymeric coating implant exhibited nanofibers with diameters 70-130 nm. The vancomycin-loaded polymeric coating titanium significantly reduced the adhesion of the staphylococcus aureus compared with bare implants in vitro. The release of vancomycin showed an initial vancomycin burst effect followed by a slow release. 36%of the drug in first two hours, 70% in first 24 hours and 96% in the first week released. Conclusions: The vancomycin-loaded polymeric coating, present many advantages and may be considered to prevent and treat implant-associated infections by impeding bacterial adherence to the implant surface or reducing the concentration of bacteria near the implant.